Teachings Amidst the Tensions Building Toward the Arrest

This meditation is based on a passage for March 29, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Mark 11:12-25

Reflection and Question: Jesus teaches here by both word and deed as the day of His arrest draws near. His withering of the fig tree that had no fruit for Him mystified me in my youth because it seemed so uncharacteristic of Jesus to act so unfairly. Later I learned that the fig tree was a symbol for Israel in Jesus’ time, and His attack on the tree parallels His attack on the religious establishment when He overturns the tables in the Temple. Mark takes both actions and uses them as a lesson in faithfulness. In particular, we are to forgive so that we may be forgiven. What lesson do you take from Jesus’ teachings?

Prayer: Jesus, our Savior and Brother, at this point You had so little time left to share Your good news and to teach us how to live in Your blessed kingdom. Strengthen our faith so that we may know how to pray and how to love, all to Your glory. Amen.